Shrubs🌿 Native to the NetherlandsVery hardy — tolerates frost down to -20°C

German Greenweed

Genista germanica

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German Greenweed (Genista germanica) is a very rare, originally native dwarf gorse for dry, acidic, and nutrient-poor sandy and loamy soil. The shrub grows low to medium-height, has hairy stems and leaves, and is recognizable by its branched thorns. German Greenweed blooms in May and June with yellow papilionaceous (pea-like) flowers. The species belongs on dry heath edges, open spots in light forests, forest edges, sparse thickets, and sandy or loamy habitats. German Greenweed thrives best on lime-poor, unfertilized, and well-draining soil. Rich garden soil, heavy clay, wet ground, and fertilization are unsuitable. Due to its extreme rarity, provenance-certified stock is extra important.

Year calendar

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
🌸Blooms
🐝Provides nectar
🍓Bears fruit
🍂Has autumn colour

Pruning period

✂️Best pruning period: Jun–Jul

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
✂️ Pruning period

Best pruning period

German Greenweed requires little pruning. Lightly prune after flowering if necessary to keep the shrub compact. Do not prune deeply into old, bare wood.

Botanical profile

Site & soil

Sun, Half shade

Soil type: Sand, Loam

Moisture need: Dry, Moderately moist, Moist

pH: Acidic (<5.5), Slightly acidic (5.5–6.5), Neutral (6.5–7.5)

Nutrient richness: Very nutrient-poor, Nutrient-poor, Moderately nutrient-rich

Humus content: Humus-poor, Moderately humus-rich

Water drainage: Strongly draining, Well draining

Appearance & season

Mature height: 20-70cm

Bloom: May-Jul

Autumn colour: No striking autumn color. The ornamental value lies mainly in the yellow bloom, the low shrub form, and the branched thorns.

Properties

Salt sensitive: Yes

Edible: No

Scent: The flowers do not have a strong or striking scent. German Greenweed is primarily noted for its yellow bloom, thorny growth, and value for small flower visitors.

Ecological value

German Greenweed is valuable for insects of dry heath, sparse forest edges, and nutrient-poor sandy soils. The yellow pea-like flowers are visited by wild bees, bumblebees, butterflies, and other small flower visitors. The low, thorny growth provides shelter for small insects, beetles, spiders, and ground-dwelling animals. The species is ecologically important as a component of ancient heath and forest edge vegetation on lime-poor soil. Because German Greenweed is severely threatened and has significantly declined in the Netherlands, the species has extra value in native, provenance-certified, and wild-style natural plantings.

Food web & Biodiversity

🐛 Caterpillars & mothsUseful

🐝 Bees & bumblebeesExtremely useful

🪰 HoverfliesUseful

🦋 ButterfliesVery useful

🪲 Beetles & insectsVery useful

🐦 BirdsUseful

🐿️ MammalsUseful

🐞 Other animalsUseful

German Greenweed is particularly valuable as a rare dwarf gorse for dry, lime-poor, and nutrient-poor soil. The species supports small flower visitors and provides structure to sparse heath edges and light forest edges.

Distribution in the Netherlands